What Would 10 More Years Bring?

The Cost of Operations in Iraq

April 15, 2008

Both Gen. David Petraeus and President Bush have indicated a willingness to keep American troops in Iraq for at least 10 years without regard to the costs in both human lives and dollars and to our overall national security. The Center for American Progress has calculated cost projections for a 10-year troop presence in Iraq.

In every scenario, the cost of war will reach beyond $1 trillion, making it the most expensive U.S. war in history.

It’s been over a year since the surge began, and despite short-term tactical progress, political reconciliation is nowhere in sight. We are continuing to sink precious national security resources into the country at the expense of other threats, including those posed by Al Qaeda and its safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It is time to stop recklessly endangering the lives of our brave men and women serving in Iraq as well as the national security of this country and begin a strategic reset in the region and a strategic redeployment of our forces from Iraq over the next 10 to 12 months.

For more information, see:

• Strategic Reset: Reclaiming Control of U.S. Security in the Middle East
• How to Redploy: Implementing a Responsible Drawdown of U.S. Forces from Iraq
• The Cost of Staying the Course in Iraq